THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
1) God created us for his glory
Isa. 43:6-7 “I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth: Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
God made all of us in his own image so that we would image forth, or reflect, his character and moral beauty.
2) Therefore, every human should live for God’s glory
“Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The way to live for the glory of God is to…
1. Love him (Matthew 22:37),
2. Trust him (Romans 4:20),
3. Be thankful to him (Psalm 50:23),
4. Obey him (Matthew 5:16),
5. Treasure him above all things (Philippians 3:8; Matthew 10:37).
When we do these things we show forth God’s glory.
3) Nevertheless, we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory
Romans 3:23- “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 1:21-23 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
None of us has loved or trusted or thanked or obeyed or treasured God as we ought.
4) Therefore, we all deserve eternal punishment
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is (eternal) death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
Matthew 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
5) Yet, in his great mercy, God sent his only Son Jesus Christ into the world to provide for sinners the way of eternal life
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”
Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
1Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
6) Therefore, eternal life is a free gift to all who will trust in Christ as Lord and Savior and supreme Treasure of their lives
Acts 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”